Taylor situation clarified

Having had a bit of a pop at our defence post-Citeh, Big Sam tried to clear up some remarks of refreshing honesty he made in the wake of recent talk of Taylor being dropped. Rather than singling the lad out, apparently they were all shocking:

'It wasn't about Steven Taylor, it was about the whole back four being poor on the day. The Steven Taylor situation isn't just Steven Taylor - it's him, David Rozehnal and Charles N'Zogbia. They were all moved out of the back because of that performance, which wasn't good enough on the day. It wasn't just Steven Taylor, like everyone's making it out to be. I said it was about the whole back four on the day.

Steven will fight for his place - I've no doubt about that whatsoever. I've had a chat with him (on Saturday), and he's taken it very well. I know he's very disappointed not being involved at the moment, but he's a young player for the future for us, and I think he'll get back in. When he does get back in, and when he gets back in, I hope he keeps the shirt.'